Nice-Premium: What is your analysis of the first round?
Xavier Garcia: The regional score of the entire left, clearly exceeding 40%, and particularly that of Michel Vauzelle, is very satisfying, while the UMP has no reserves for the second round. There is a protest from Nicolas Sarkozy’s electorate, who had achieved excellent scores in PACA in 2007. His former voters evidently felt deceived and either abstained or went elsewhere. A significant portion has clearly voted for the left. Unfortunately, many have returned to the FN, which is not surprising given the discrepancy between the security discourse and the reality experienced daily by the residents of this region as well as elsewhere in France. The UMP played the sorcerer’s apprentice with the debate on national identity and the burqa. They only managed to bring the far right back into play.
In the Alpes-Maritimes department, the score of the left is historic. When you combine the results of PS, the Greens, and the Left Front (38.5%), you reach a total considerably higher than the regional elections of 2004, which were already exceptional. The score of the UMP (30%) is very weak for a department considered the most right-wing in France, especially since the reserves (Modem, MEI, NPA, LO) are more on our side. In Nice, where the UMP doesn’t even cross the 30% mark; the result of Michel Vauzelle and Patrick Allemand (23.13%) is particularly encouraging since we achieved a better score than the municipal elections where we were allied with the PCF and the Greens from the first round. In summary, the Alpes-Maritimes is still a mission territory for the left, but the mission is no longer impossible.
N-P: How are you preparing for the second round on March 21st?
X.G.: We are preparing calmly since the merger with Europe Ecology and the Left Front is secured, and it happened in a very constructive and open atmosphere. The PS made concessions to ensure everything goes smoothly at the list level, and regarding the program, we have been managing the Region together for 12 years, which has considerably facilitated the discussions. We are therefore battle-ready, and the activists and candidates are already out in the field to convince the abstainers to support Michel Vauzelle on Sunday. The first round was very good, but there must be no relaxation until Saturday midnight.
N-P: Finally, what is your forecast for Sunday?
X.G.: The situation obviously seems favorable to the left, but I don’t want to make any forecasts because the counters are reset to zero, and we must avoid any triumphalism. As left-wing activists in this department, we have learned modesty. We are determined and confident, but this victory, we still need to go and get it. Nothing is ever guaranteed in politics.
